We're still not completely sold on this whole Google Hangouts thing, but the search giant continues to make improvements, including a big update this week that brings the app in line with the rest of iOS 7.

It's generally not hard to find a Wi-Fi hotspot if you live in an urban area, but Google's out to make the process even easier with an app that connects you to available hotspots automatically without usernames, passwords, and other assorted annoyances. Even better, Engadget reports that Google plans to bring the app to iOS as well as its own Android system.

Maintaining the privacy of users has always been a major concern at Apple, to the point that it's apparently affecting the success of the Cupertino giant's iAd business, reports AdAge. Ad buyers say Apple is "downright stingy" with its customer information, and that it has no real drive to "foster relationships."

Wednesday night wound up being a particularly crazy time for tech news as the Comcast-Time Warner deal (more on that in a moment) vied for attention with word that Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside has found a new home with Dropbox, where he will hold the position of Chief Operating Officer. But that wasn't all that made news yesterday, so here's a quick recap of other stories...

Apple's Arizona facilities took the spotlight on Thursday as export documents revealed the company's newly purchased inspection tools are intended for "device displays" -- although no one knows for sure if they are intended for the fabled iWatch, the next iPhone or something else entirely. While you ponder that latest rumor, here are a few slices of other news from yesterday that are a little less tinged in speculation...

Over the last 14 years, product manager John Nack has been a fixture at software maker Adobe, frequently offering an insider look at the company through his blog -- and now, he's embarking on a whole new adventure.

In case you missed it, Apple has now added a behind-the-scenes video to its 1.24.14 promotional page, which none other than marketing VP Phil Schiller announced in a tweet Monday night. Now Mac fans can get a peek at how Apple managed to distill more than 70 hours of iPhone 5s video footage shot across five continents into a minute-and-a-half-long commercial — and that's not all that made news on Monday, so read on...

Lots of news this week all about things that are coming soon. In some cases, these things are rumors and in some cases these are things that are merely days away. We ourselves are most excited about what's cooking in the Apple TV world, because we've been mighty jealous of our friends with Roku and all their channels. Open that baby up, Apple, and let's get rolling.